The Wraeththu Chronicles (152 page)

The Maudrah are the largest tribe of Jaddayoth, many of whom are hara who fled Megalithica at the time of the Varrish defeat in that continent, Their society is governed by many strict codes, one of which is their religious cult connected with the Aghama, the first Wraeththu. To the Maudrah, the Aghama is a ruthless and vengeful entity, whom it is necessary to placate in numerous ways. The Aghama may be offended by deviations from custom, such as wearing the wrong mode of attire in any situation, or utilising incorrect modes of address to other hara. If any har should invoke the displeasure of the Aghama, he is obliged to make the correct penance. Mistakes made by strangers to the region are barely tolerated, but small allowances are made for visitors who may be unfamiliar with the Maudrah codes. Repeated aberrations do tend to

inflame the tempers of the Niz, however, so it is inadvisable for hara unfamiliar with the region to spend too much time in Maudrah. The capital city of Oomadrah is probably the most lenient. An efficient police force, known as the Aditi, are employed by the Niz to supervise the streets of towns and cities They may invite transgressors to "partake of the hospitality of the Niz." I is strongly urged that any traveler receiving such a suggestion resist i strongly. Fleeing abruptly from Maudrah territory is the recommended manner of replying to it.

The Maudrah attitude to aruna is one shrouded in mystery as few have ever spoken of it outside of the country. It is safe to conjecture, however, that it is bound by the same set of rigid rules as govern all aspects of Maudrah activity. Not recommended to be sampled.

Within the palace Sykernesse, seat of the Archon in Oomadrah, it is rumored that the restrictions adhered to by the Maudrah community at large do not apply. This may be because Ariaric's consort, Elisyin, is of Ferike origin and has considerable influence within Sykernesse itself. The court of Sykernesse is on very intimate terms with the court of Phaonica in Immanion. This too may be a reason why regulations are relaxed within the palace. Visitors from Almagabra are frequent, and would no doubt be offended if asked to behave in any manner other than that of a respected Gelaming. The only other reason why conditions in the palace are as they appear may be because Ariaric and Wrark Fortuny, High Priest of the Niz, are happy to dole out laws willy-nilly to their people but can't be bothered with such things themselves. Conjectures abound, but surely only the most cynical har would suggest the latter.

The Hadassah are the second largest tribe of Jaddayoth. They are also the complete opposite of the Maudrah, possessing a far looser social structure. In fact, they have an almost morbid hatred for the Maudrah and utterly despise that tribe's traditions. The governor of the Hadassah is a har known as the Lexy, who resides in the capital town of Camphadal, close to the Natawni border. The Lexy is chosen every five years by means of a strenuous competition which comprises tests of strength, intelligence and magical prowess. The current Lexy has been in office for six years, having won the competition twice. He is highly regarded amongst his people. The Hadassah also worship the Aghama, but the idea rather than the har. They do not worship the image of Aghama, but believe that the Aghama's presence is inherent in every har and that to abuse yourself (or any other hara) is to abuse the Aghama. Thus, when having to engage in battle, for whatever reason, every Hadassah has to make amends to the Aghama. Conveniently, this is usually expressed through sanctified aruna with temple soumelam, known as Huyana, who must also be offered gifts in the form of food, money or clothing. As the Hadassah are a race fond of drinking, conquest and brawling, the Huyana make a comfortable living from this practice. The Hadassah welcome travelers as they are gregarious people and also because they seek to make profit from any visitors. As opposed to the Maudrah, who dress only in somber gray, black or brown (except for the Niz who wear robes of purple), the Hadassah affect clothing of the brightest colors. They are fond of adorning their costumes with scarves, jewelery and tassels. It is customary for most hara to accentuate their features with cosmetics and they import many exotic perfumes from Kalamah and Emunah. The Hadassah attitude to aruna is more or less the same as that of the Gelaming, in that they believe successful aruna is beneficial both spiritually and physically to whoever indulges in it.

Travelers may expect to receive excellent accommodation and service in any Hadassah town, especially so if they advertise the fact that money presents no problem.

The Natawni, found in the north of Jaddayoth, between Hadassah and Garridan, are also known as the People of Bones. This is because they use bones, the primal building block, for ornament, scrying, and even in the construction of their temples. Bones are built into the walls and foundations of dwellings and the Natawni have also developed a deadly weapon in the form of a bone needle steeped in poison purchased from the Garridan—the tiek. Notably fearless, and not unwarlike, the Natawni nevertheless

possess one of the more democratic societies in Jaddayoth. Whilst having no tribe overlord, each community has its own leader, the Askelan, elected from a council often individuals, known as the Taima. Natawni has a good relationship with Immanion, but one of severe bad feeling with Maudrah, whom they despise. While they are wary (often bordering on hostile) to strangers in their lands, once satisfied that newcomers are not Maudrah spies or trouble-makers, the Natawni are happy to let them come and go as they please. All travelers wishing to explore Natawni territory are recommended to seek an audience with the nearest Askelan to obtain written authority. This is usually granted at a nominal cost of twenty spinners or thereabouts. More adventurous wanderers may wish to save their money and risk unpleasantness.

The Natawni do not worship the Aghama as a deity, but instead revere a god of their own invention—the Skylording. This deity is hermaphroditic, as themselves, but changes his affinity with the seasons. The warrior caste of the tribe are obliged to follow this custom, hence they may only be soume during spring and summer, ouana during the colder season. Breaking this code threatens to bring disaster to the tribe's fertility. Two religious festivals are celebrated each year. The spring rites are known as the Greening, when harlings are ritually conceived upon the warriors, Feybraihas celebrated and the land blessed for fertility. The Autumn Festival, the Musting, celebrates the Harvest, the birth of new harlings and caste ascensions for the warriors. (N.B. Conceiving children and caste ascensions may take place at any time of year for tribe members other than warriors.) The Skylording's priests are known as Skyles, hara chosen for their beauty and tranquility.

Natawni wear clothes of forest colors, dark brown, green, russet and gold. They plait their hair with moss and leaves and scent their skin with the essential oil of pine and cedar. Their magic is of the earth which they look upon as the feminine aspect of their god. To take aruna with a Natawni is to experience the forest as a living force, to breathe earth and become at one with it. Those towns to be found along the Hadassah border are most receptive to strangers.

Inhabiting the northeastern mountains of Jaddayoth, bound on three sides by Roselane, Maudrah and Natawni, stretching a toe of crags into Mojag, Garridan is perhaps the land most feared by strangers to the region. Incorporating many rogue hara of the Uigenna tribe who had to flee Megalithica during the time of conflict (and who were rejected by the Maudrah—a warning note), the Garridan are a tribe well versed in the esoteric lore of Wraeththu toxins. The Uigenna were a byword in Megalithica for heartless cruelty, and were famous for their ability to devise poisons fatal or painful to harishkind, whom most toxic elements cannot harm. It is rumored that the Garridan salvaged much of man's technology, which they now utilize in the manufacture of their venoms. Needless to say, poison is the main export of Garridan, finding its way west, through Jaddayoth, to Thaine, Erminia and beyond. A death through poisoning was reported in southern Megalithica two years ago. It was thought that all Uigenna hara had been expunged or driven from the land at the time, which brought about the conjecture that the toxin responsible may well have originated in Jaddayoth, Garridan in particular. Whether Garridan exports are this far-reaching has never been substantiated.

The Garridan are a notoriously handsome race, inclined to tallness, long-limbed and gray eyed. Their ruler is the Archon Hillelex, their capital city the mountain stronghold of Nightshade. Nearly all Garridan towns

and cities are named for various poisons; they have a rather mordant sense of humor. More than most of the tribes of Jaddayoth who have deviated from the habits and customs of Megalithican Wraeththukind, the Garridan have stuck more keenly to their origins, still instituting the exact same caste structure as the homeland, naming their temples Nayatis, their priests Hienamas, their marriages and alliances chesnabond. Though they pay lip service to the Aghama as a deity, most Garridan have little time for religion. This is because the Uigenna were one of the first tribes of Wraeththu and have passed to their descendants a strong sense of what it was like clinging to the ruins of human civilization, regarded as a dangerous freak, having to fight just to live every day. Most tribes nowadays have a far more diluted bloodline

from the original strain than the Garridan, owing to interbreeding between different districts and tribes. Hence, the racial memory is perhaps blunted or at least distant enough to ignore. The Garridan are a one-generation descent group away from the Uigenna. Some part of them still lives in the burning cities of fifty years ago. There were no gods then; Garridan see little need for them now.

The Garridan maintain a cursory alliance with Mojag and Maudrah. They are strongly opposed by the Natawni, who disagree with the majority of Garridan customs and creeds. Emunah, however, never fussy with whose money it takes, maintains a healthy trading arrangement with Garridan.

Visitors to the region are not discouraged or hassled in any way, yet there are surprisingly few that brave the journey. Visitors to Nightshade report that the Garridan are excellent hosts, Lord Hillelex especially, but it is advised to examine carefully any food that you are offered, unless you are sure your visit is welcome!

Known among the tribes of Jaddayoth as the Horse People, the Gimrah (GIM-rar) occupy the vast southern plains to the west of Maudrah and a long stretch of the coast of the Sea of Shadows. Famous for the quality of their animals, many Gimrah can boast that their steeds can be found in the stables of all the noble houses of Jaddayoth. Four different types of horses are bred in this region. Firstly, the working beasts; heavy, muscled brutes, found on all the richer farms in the area. Secondly, riding animals, famed for their elegant appearance, reliability and zest. Thirdly, racehorses, exported to Almagabra, Thaine and as far as Megalithica, and finally, Faraldiennes. These animals are bred from two Gelaming horses presented to Gimrah by Immanion itself. Faraldiennes are far more than just animals, being able to travel through the otherlanes, out of this plane of existence, thus enabling an experienced handler to cross vast distances of land in a very short space of time. The Gimrah have several small herds of these animals, but their sale is controlled by the Hegemony in Immanion, to prevent them falling into the wrong hands. Obviously, there are many brave attempts by would-be thieves to steal from the herd, but the Gimrah guard them with outstanding zeal and happily kill anyone stupid enough to try. Any Faraldiennes sold to other tribes are geldings, preventing any illegal breeding of the strain.

The Gimrah are solely a farming community, and have no cities. Each farm is really a large village, presided over by a headhar known as the Tirtha. All Gimrah Tirtha meet six times a year to discuss tribal matters and to show off the best of their stock. The Tirtha acts as law enforcer within his own community, usually assisted by his family.

The Gimrah worship the Aghama in the form of a white horse who may sometimes take the form of a Wraeththu har. They believe that on the eve of the new year, the Aghama may be seen galloping over the fields beside the herds, ensuring their fertility for the coming spring.

Of all the tribes of Jaddayoth, only the Gimrah have any dealings with humans. Whereas Mojag, Garridan, Maudrah and Natawni successfully exterminated, or drove away, any lingering human communities, the Gimrah allowed men and women to remain on their lands, offering them I employment and aid. This was sorely needed at the time of settlement an all humans were desperately clinging to the last threads of life at the time, I never mind the territory. The Gimrah assisted by using their power of healing over the minds and bodies of the humans, managing to halt the deadly advance of mental illness, ravaging disease and sterility. Because of this, the relationship between humankind and hara in this district is uncommonly good.

Many humans now live better lives than before the Wraeththu came. Naturally, this situation invites censure from the less tolerant tribes, but as the Gimrah have the sanction of the Gelaming, both human and har can live together without fear of reprisal. The only problem that arises from this circumstance is that all male children, upon reaching puberty, want to be incepted into Wraeththu. Obviously, if

this was allowed to occur without supervision, the humans would inevitably become extinct. To preserve the race, the Gimrah have stipulated that no young man may take inception until he has successfully sired a male child. Therefore, humans tend to breed at a very young age and all of the adult community is female. Visitors are always welcome in the estembles (as the farms are called) of Gimrah, although they may be expected to pay for their keep with labor as well as money. The best time to visit the region is during the summer months when there are many colorful horse fairs to look around.